Tennis star Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, welcomed her daughter Shai in July 2023. Since then, she has been balancing motherhood with her return to professional tennis and recently shared her journey in a new documentary titled Naomi Osaka: The Second Set.
In the film’s trailer, Osaka reflects on her career, saying, “Some people say she ended my career, but for me, it feels like she started my career.”
Co-Parenting With Cordae
Osaka shares Shai with her ex-boyfriend, rapper Cordae. The couple began dating in 2019 but announced their separation in early 2025. Despite parting ways, Osaka spoke warmly of him, calling Cordae “a great person and an awesome dad” and that there was “no bad blood” between them.
She also expressed gratitude for their time together, saying, “Honestly really glad our paths crossed because my daughter is my biggest blessing and I was able to grow a lot from our experiences together.”
Since becoming a mother, Osaka has been very protective of Shai’s privacy. She has never shown her daughter’s face on social media, though she has spoken openly about the challenges of being a working mom.
Osaka’s Struggles
In an interview with Hello! Magazine, Osaka admitted that her career often requires her to travel, which means spending long periods away from Shai. “It takes a village, and I truly couldn’t do it without mine,” she said.
Shai made her US Open debut in 2025, a proud moment for Osaka as she continues to balance tennis and motherhood.
The story of Shai’s birth was shared by both parents. Cordae announced the news during a concert at Canada’s Calgary Stampede, dedicating the performance to his newborn daughter. Osaka also confirmed the arrival on Instagram with a lighthearted caption, “Well that was a cool little intermission. Now back to your regularly scheduled program.”
In interviews, Osaka said that Shai’s name means “God’s gift,” reflecting the love and meaning behind her daughter’s arrival. “That’s how I wanted her to feel, like she’s God’s gift to me and her dad,” she told ESPN during the 2023 US Open.
Earlier in 2023, Osaka had also shared glimpses of her pregnancy, including a princess-themed baby shower that hinted she was expecting a girl. At the time, she revealed she knew the baby’s gender, but Cordae had chosen not to find out until the birth.